I’ve just finished this lovely book and am sat here in a flood of happy tears. What a beautiful story with echos of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca. The wild Cornwall countryside, a mix of characters, a heartbreak or two, some romance, a wonderful ending and a majestic country mansion in the middle of it all. Just perfect!

Thank you to Netgalley the author and publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review

Book Review: A Cornish Legacy by Fern Britton
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

“A Cornish Legacy” by Fern Britton is a heartwarming journey through loss, healing, and self-discovery, set against the rugged beauty of Cornwall. As a long-time fan of historical fiction and stories set in quaint British locales, I was drawn to the promise of a Cornwall escape, and Britton certainly delivers a picturesque setting.

The story follows Cordelia Jago, a woman who has lost everything—her family, her career, her husband, and her sense of trust. The only thing left to her is Wilder Hoo, a decaying manor house on the Cornish coast, which she never wanted but is now her reluctant inheritance. As Cordelia attempts to sell the house and move on from her painful past, the house itself seems to draw her back, revealing memories and stories from happier times.

The Cornwall setting, with its wild Atlantic coast and charming small-town community, is a perfect backdrop for the story. The vivid descriptions of the manor house and the surrounding countryside give the novel a distinct sense of place, and I could easily imagine walking down those cobbled streets, breathing in the sea air, and feeling the windswept beauty of the landscape.

Cordelia, though relatable, wasn’t always an easy character to connect with. Her struggles felt real, but I often found myself frustrated with her reluctance to embrace the potential for healing and growth. The romance that slowly blooms throughout the novel, alongside Cordelia's efforts to restore Wilder Hoo, does bring some light to the story, though I couldn’t shake the feeling that it all unfolded a bit too predictably.

What I appreciated most about this novel was its emphasis on finding home in unexpected places, both physically and emotionally. The journey of restoring a crumbling house paralleled Cordelia’s emotional restoration, and the bonds she forms with the locals helped her rediscover trust and hope. The friendships and community spirit woven throughout the narrative were delightful and added an extra layer of warmth to the story.

However, while the book offers plenty of charm and an uplifting tone, I couldn’t shake the sense that it played it a bit too safe in terms of plot and character development. It’s a pleasant read, but I was hoping for a bit more depth and complexity in the emotional arc.

Final Thoughts:
“A Cornish Legacy” is a gentle, feel-good read perfect for fans of escapist romance with a touch of historical fiction. While the setting and community-driven narrative are engaging, the predictable plot and the sometimes frustrating pacing left me wishing for a bit more spark. Nonetheless, it’s an enjoyable read for anyone looking to escape to Cornwall and immerse themselves in a tale of second chances and healing.

A Cornish Legacy by Fern Britton

Cordelia Jago has lost everything. Her mother, her father, her career, her husband and her best friend, her trust. All she has left is a legacy she never expected – and would never have wanted.

Wilder Hoo – The Wild House – is a crumbling Cornish Manor House which she hates, full of unhappy memories for her. It is falling down to the brink of ruin.

Determined to sell-up and forget the past forever, she begins to spruce up its echoing rooms – but the house seems to speak to her and to pull her back to happier times in Cornwall.

Fern Britton is a brilliant author and writes titles set in her beloved Cornwall like no-one else.
Loved following the life of Cordelia who has gone through a lot and has been left jaded and hating the world and her lot.

However The Wild House has a different path for her , it and the people who help her get it ready for a sale help Cordelia believe she does have a future , a even one in Cornwall .

A fantastic read. Cordelia is at her lowest ebb having lost everything and when her ex husband dies and leaves her the crumbling manor house Wilder Woo which was the main cause of her loss she can't wait to get rid of it but her best friend Sammi and her Aunt Rose have other idea but will Cordelia come round to the idea of restoring the old place and will she find her confidence and finances to make it happen. Set in two parts it's a really interesting story which grips you from the beginning beautiful written and I think it's one of Fern's best books to date 5 big 🌟 from me I loved it

Enjoyed my virtual visit to Cornwall. Was surprised that a couple of the early characters didn’t reappear..
Loved how Mrs Joy kept returning.
Lovely to have a main character called Ray (my dad was a Ray).

A story of restoration of a beautiful old house and grounds in Cornwall and of its initially reluctant owner. Delia inherits the property unexpectedly and it holds only bad memories for her, but ,with the help
and encouragement of a wonderful cast of characters, both she and the property are renewed. Heartwarming stuff, in a beautiful setting and perfect holiday reading.

I’m a sucker for any books that centre around Cornwall, so this book sounded like a perfect read for me.
It’s about Delia - a woman who has lost everything and ends up with a dilapidated Cornish Mansion. We learn about her past and how she looks to fix her life in the future.
This book was a very easy read. Topics of divorce and abuse arise in the text, but I didn’t find it to be disturbing/alarming in any way. I enjoyed the characters Aunt Rose, Sammi and Mrs Joy and enjoyed reading the part of when Delia was actually working on the house (mainly part two).
I think a chunk of the pages/dialogue could’ve been edited out and it still would keep its charm. The beginning really felt like it dragged on or when we would return to the past.
Overall, a good book to pass the time on a Cornish holiday with a cream tea. 3.5 ⭐️
Thank you HarperCollins & NetGalley for this ARC!

Delia is left Wilder Hoo by her exhusband. She hates this house as she has terrible memories. She lost her best friend when she found she was having an affair with her husband. She goes to the house with the intention of selling. Her friend Sammi goes with her. Delia discovers that she needs to do work before she can even think of selling. With the help of locals and her lovely Aunt Rose it starts to look like a home again

A dilapidated Cornish Manor house, a woman who hates this house, she has lost everything and wants to never see this house again until she starts to get it back to a sellable condition. Cordelia realises there is more to this house than unhappiness. The locals all pull together to help Cordelia bring this place to its best but will Cordelia want to sell up after all? Fern is one of my go to authors when I want a comforting and easy read, you can easily get swept away with her stories. This is one I did not want to put down, everything around me stopped just so I could take in this richness and beauty of the stunning Cornwall. It was full of hope and an uplifting read that warmed my cockles. I loved it all.

When Delia receives a legacy from her ex-husband it is both unexpected and unwanted: a crumbling Manor House in Cornwall. Her first thought is to sell it as quickly as possible but with the help of her aunt, her best friend and the Nanny McPhee-like Mrs Joy, just maybe she can make it work.

An absolute page turner with well written characters that you will desperately want to succeed in their plans.

When cordelia recieves an unexpected official letter she wonderes what it might be to her surprise it is the last will and testiment from her ex husband stating he has left her Wilder Hoo house a crumbling mansion that holds lots of unhappy memories.
She doesnt want it and first thoughts are to sell it but soon finds out it not worth it.
Her best freind sammi loves it and bets she cant get it up and runnng and making money by april and she takes him on.
with help from locals and her Aunt rose it starts to come together.
She soon comes to love the old place again aswell as mending her broken heart to with the help of a friendly gardener that helps her make her origanal plans for the garden that were discarded by her ex mother in law reality.

When Cordelia (Delia) inherited Wilser Hoo from her ex husband, she has one plan to sell it and get ris of it and her past history forever, sadly her aunt and her closest friend Sammi are doing everything they can to convince her to keep it and restore it to its former glory, but is she brave enough and can she make it work.

I loved this book, I loved the way it jumped from past to present and back again.

The characters are fabulously written and I read the story in two days, I couldn't put it down, my favourite Frrn Britton book ever.

An unwanted legacy made good. Delia unexpectedly inherits an ancient and decrepit house called Wilder Hoo. She takes her best friend Sammi with her . He marvels at it but she just wants it sold as she has bad memories of it and it’s in a terrible state. Sammi’s excited reaction on exploring Wilder Hoo is what most of us would feel. The house is a character in its own right, describing to us what it was like in its heyday. The housekeeper, Mrs Joy, is thrilled when Delia changes her mind and decides to renovate it and recommends the best local tradespeople.

Delia’s Auntie Rose is quite a character, a complete contrast from her former in-laws, who are utter snobs and her husband is a waste of space! All the characters are well-drawn, so you feel you’d recognise them if you met them. Will one of them be a second chance at happiness for Delia?

A brilliant holiday read! I really enjoyed this story about Delia and the way her life changes when she finds herself the heir to a stunning but dilapidated Cornish Manor House. She rebuilds her life along with this beautiful home helped by her friends, her beloved Aunt Rose, and the mysterious Mrs Joy. A book filled with love, hope, friendship and promise.

I love Fern Britton and she certainly didn't let me down here.
Well written characters, beautiful surroundings and a touch of Mills & Boon storyline.
I needed something more gentle to read after to many thrillers and this really hit the spot.
A lovely read to enjoy on holiday or sat in the garden.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my advanced copy.